Development of a LPG fuel processor for PEFC systems: Laboratory scale evaluation of autothermal reforming and preferential oxidation subunits

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) offers the possibility of generating power with high efficiency and low emissions for mobile and stationary applications. A very crucial factor to use the PEFC-based engine for transportation purposes is the choice of fuel and fuel processor, proper for a realistic, on-board, employment. This paper covers the in-progress activities performed by CNR-ITAE on experimental studies of the autothermal reforming of propane on a proprietary ceria-supported platinum catalyst: this study represents the first step of a project oriented for the development of a compact and reliable fuel processor, fed by LPG, to be used in a PEFC vehicle. The main issues that should be satisfied by the hydrogen generator will be high fuel conversion, stable performance for repeated start-up and shut-down cycles, capability to process different hydrocarbons, etc. In this respect, the CO preferential oxidation step has also been studied by the performance analysis of commercial Pt/Al2O3 and Ru/Al2O3 catalysts (Engelhard Co.).